Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for facilitating analysis of line processes.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 3 includes: an acquisition unit 331 which acquires work history for each work machine; a receiving unit 333 which receives, on a design screen, an operation for creating a plurality of process objects, an operation for setting the order of the work processes, and an operation for associating each of the process objects with each of a plurality of history objects; a calculation unit 334 which calculates a work period based on work time associated with the same article identification information in each of the work histories and the set order of the work processes, and calculates read quantity which is the amount of the article identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period, based on the calculated work period; and a display processing unit 332 which displays, on the design screen, quantity objects in association with the process objects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a system for managing delivery of goods is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-362743 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the spread of online shopping and other trends has led to an increase in logistics, and businesses are being asked to shorten the time it takes to deliver goods. However, in order to shorten the time it takes to deliver goods, businesses must analyze their current production line processes, which include various work steps required to deliver goods, such as picking, sorting, inspection, packing, and sealing, which places a heavy burden on businesses. Therefore, there is a need to provide a system that makes it easier for businesses to analyze production lines.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a mechanism for facilitating the analysis of line processes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires, for each operation device used in each of a plurality of operation processes included in a line process for delivering an item, a work history including device identification information for identifying the operation device, the work history being associated with item identification information for identifying an item read by the operation device and a work time including at least one of a work start time at which the operation device started to read the item identification information and a work end time at which the operation device finished reading the item identification information; an operation of creating a plurality of process objects indicating each of the plurality of operation processes on a design screen for designing the line process, the design screen displaying a plurality of history objects indicating each of the plurality of operation histories acquired by the acquisition unit; and an operation of setting an order for each of the plurality of operation processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects. and an operation of associating each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects; a calculation unit that calculates a work period required to work on one item in each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects based on the work time associated with the same item identification information in each of the plurality of work histories indicated by each of the plurality of history objects associated with each of the plurality of process objects and the order of each of the set work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, and calculates a read quantity of the item identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period; and a display processing unit that displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the read quantity per the predetermined unit period calculated by the calculation unit in association with the process object.

[0007] The work history may further be associated with order identification information for identifying orders for one or more items, and the calculation unit may calculate the work period as the period required to work on one order in each of the multiple work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects based on the work times associated with the same order identification information in each of the multiple work histories indicated by each of the multiple history objects associated with each of the multiple process objects, and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects that have been set, and may calculate the read quantity as the quantity of all of the item identification information associated with the order identification information that is read in the specified unit period based on the calculated work period.

[0008] The receiving unit may receive an operation to change the order of one of the process objects after the quantity objects are displayed on the design screen, and the display processing unit may display, on the design screen, a changed process object, which is the process object whose order has been changed, in association with the quantity object that was associated with the changed process object before the order was changed.

[0009] The reception unit may receive an operation to add the process object and an operation to associate the added process object with the history object after the quantity object is displayed on the design screen, and the calculation unit may calculate the work period based on the order of the work processes indicated by the added process object and the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the added process object, and calculate the reading quantity per specified unit time based on the calculated work period.

[0010] The information processing device may further have a memory unit that stores statistical values ​​of the reading quantity per specified unit period corresponding to a work process, the reception unit may receive an operation to add the process object after displaying the quantity object on the design screen, and the display processing unit may, when the reception unit does not receive an operation to associate the added process object with the history object, associate an object indicating the statistical value corresponding to the added process object as the quantity object and display it.

[0011] The receiving unit may receive an operation to input the number of tasks to be performed in parallel in at least one of the plurality of work processes after the process object is displayed on the design screen, and the calculation unit may calculate the work period as a value obtained by dividing the period required to work on one item in the work process where the number of tasks are performed in parallel by the number of tasks.

[0012] The reception unit may receive an operation to delete one of the process objects after the quantity objects are displayed on the design screen, and the display processing unit may update the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects when the reception unit receives an operation to delete one of the process objects.

[0013] The display processing unit may display the quantity object indicating a relatively small reading quantity per specified unit period among the reading quantities per specified unit period for each of the plurality of work processes in a different manner from other quantity objects other than the quantity object.

[0014] When the display processing unit associates a period object indicating the work period calculated by the calculation unit with the process object and displays it, the display processing unit may display the period object indicating a relatively long work period among the work periods of each of the multiple work processes in a different manner from other period objects other than the period object.

[0015] The reception unit may accept input of the item identification information after the process object is displayed, and the display processing unit may display on the design screen the work process in which work is being performed on the item indicated by the item identification information accepted as input by the reception unit, based on the work history acquired by the acquisition unit from each of the multiple work devices.

[0016] If the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time, the calculation unit may further calculate the work period based on an interpolated time interpolated as the time.

[0017] The reception unit may further receive an operation to input the interpolated time when the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time.

[0018] The information processing device may further have a memory unit that stores information indicating other work processes included in other line processes managed by other managers different from the manager who manages the line process, in association with information indicating the work periods of the other work processes, and the calculation unit may select, from among the multiple other work processes, the other work processes that are related to the work process corresponding to the work time that does not include the time, and calculate the interpolated time based on the work periods corresponding to the selected other work processes.

[0019] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is executed by a computer, and includes the steps of acquiring, for each operation device used in each of a plurality of operation processes included in a line process for delivering an item, a work history including device identification information for identifying the operation device, the work history being associated with item identification information for identifying the item read by the operation device and a work time including at least one of a work start time at which the operation device started the work of reading the item identification information and a work end time at which the operation device finished the work of reading the item identification information; an operation of creating a plurality of process objects indicating each of the plurality of operation processes on a design screen for designing the line process, the design screen displaying a plurality of history objects indicating each of the acquired plurality of work histories; and setting an order for each of the plurality of operation processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects. and an operation of associating each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects; calculating a work period required for work on one item in each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects based on the work time associated with the same item identification information in each of the plurality of work histories indicated by each of the plurality of history objects associated with each of the plurality of process objects and the order of each of the set work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects; calculating a read quantity of the item identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period; and displaying, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the calculated read quantity per the predetermined unit period in association with the process object.

[0020] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires, for each operation device used in each of a plurality of operation processes included in a line process for delivering an item, a work history including device identification information for identifying the operation device, the work history being associated with item identification information for identifying an item read by the operation device and a work time including at least one of a work start time when the operation device started to read the item identification information and a work end time when the operation device finished reading the item identification information; an operation to create a plurality of process objects indicating each of the plurality of operation processes on a design screen for designing the line process, the design screen displaying a plurality of history objects indicating each of the plurality of operation histories acquired by the acquisition unit, and a setting of an order for each of the plurality of operation processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects. and an operation to associate each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects; a calculation unit that calculates the work period required to work on one item in each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects based on the work time associated with the same item identification information in each of the plurality of work histories indicated by each of the plurality of history objects associated with each of the plurality of process objects and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the plurality of set process objects, and calculates the read quantity of the item identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period; and a display processing unit that displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the read quantity per the predetermined unit period calculated by the calculation unit in association with the process object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] The present invention has the effect of providing a mechanism that makes it easy to analyze line processes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of information indicating a layout. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] [Outline of Information Processing System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system used to provide an information processing service. The information processing service is a service that provides a user interface for a user to analyze line processes. The user is, for example, a manager (business operator) who manages the line processes. The line process is a process of delivering goods and includes multiple work steps such as picking, sorting, inspection, packing, and sealing. The information processing system S has a work device 1 (work devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d in FIG. 1), a user terminal 2, and an information processing device 3.

[0024] The operating device 1 is a device used to perform work in a work process, and is, for example, a robot that moves and sorts luggage. The operating device 1 has at least a reading unit for reading item identification information (hereinafter referred to as "item ID (identification)") for identifying an item. For example, a different operating device 1 is used for each work process.

[0025] The user terminal 2 is a terminal used by a user, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. The information processing device 3 is a device that manages information processing services, and is, for example, a server. The processing executed by the information processing system S will be described below.

[0026] The line process shown in Fig. 1 includes picking, sorting, inspection, and sealing operations. Operation device 1a is used for picking, operation device 1b for sorting, operation device 1c for inspection, and operation device 1d for sealing.

[0027] In this case, first, the information processing device 3 acquires a work history from each maintenance device 1 (maintenance devices 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) ((1) in FIG. 1). The work history is a history of the work performed by the maintenance device 1 in the work process, and includes device identification information (hereinafter referred to as "device ID") for identifying the maintenance device 1. The work history is, for example, information that associates the item ID read by the maintenance device 1 in the work process with the time of work. The work time includes at least one of the work start time, which is the time when the maintenance device 1 started the work, and the work end time, which is the time when the maintenance device 1 finished the work. The information processing device 3 stores the acquired work history.

[0028] When a user performs an operation to access a site of an information processing service on the user terminal 2, the information processing device 3 causes the user terminal 2 to display a design screen ((2) in FIG. 1). The design screen is a user interface for the user to analyze a line process, and more specifically, a display screen for designing a line process. A plurality of history objects indicating each of the acquired multiple work histories are displayed on the design screen.

[0029] When a user performs an operation to design a line process on the design screen displayed on the user terminal 2, the information processing device 3 accepts the operation to design the line process ((3) in FIG. 1). The operation to design the line process includes an operation to create multiple process objects indicating each of multiple work processes included in the line process, an operation to set the order of each of the multiple work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects, and an operation to associate each of the multiple process objects with each of the multiple history objects.

[0030] The information processing device 3 displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the throughput of each operation process, based on the line process designed by the user's operation on the design screen ((4) in FIG. 1).

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. Object O1 is a history object. In the example shown in FIG. 2, object O1 displays the name of the work apparatus 1, but is not limited to this and may also display apparatus identification information for identifying the work apparatus 1. Object O2 is a process object. In the example shown in FIG. 2, object O2 displays the name or type of the work process entered by the user. Object O3 is a quantity object. In the example shown in FIG. 2, object O3 displays the number of items worked on per minute.

[0032] In this case, first, the user creates new objects O2 on the design screen in the order of the work processes in the line production, and names the created objects O2 according to the work processes. Then, when the user performs an operation (e.g., drag and drop) on the design screen to associate each created object O2 with each object O1, the information processing device 3 displays each object O3 corresponding to each object O2 in an area adjacent to each object O2.

[0033] In this way, the information processing system S allows the user to recognize the throughput of each work process. This makes it easier for the user to determine which work process should be improved. As a result, the information processing system S can provide a mechanism that makes it easier to analyze line processes. The configuration of the information processing device 3 will be described below.

[0034] [Configuration of information processing device 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the functional configuration of an information processing device 3. The information processing device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. In FIG. 3, arrows indicate main data flows, and there may be data flows not shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, each functional block indicates a configuration in functional units, rather than a configuration in hardware (device) units. Therefore, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data may be exchanged between functional blocks via any means, such as a data bus, a network, or a portable storage medium.

[0035] The communication unit 31 is a communication interface for connecting to a network, and includes a communication controller for receiving data from an external terminal and an external device.

[0036] The memory unit 32 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that realizes the information processing device 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of ​​the information processing device 3, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information referenced when the application programs are executed.

[0037] The control unit 33 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) of the information processing device 3, and functions as an acquisition unit 331, a display processing unit 332, a reception unit 333, and a calculation unit 334 by executing programs stored in the memory unit 32. The function of the control unit 33 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0038] The acquisition unit 331 acquires, for each operation device 1 used in each of a plurality of work processes included in the line process, a work history including an apparatus ID, in which an item ID is associated with a work time including at least one of a work start time and a work end time. The acquisition unit 331 stores the acquired work history in the storage unit 32, for example, in association with business operator identification information (hereinafter referred to as "business operator ID") for identifying a business operator that operates a business of delivering items in the line process.

[0039] The display processing unit 332 displays, on the user terminal 2, a design screen for designing a line process, on which a plurality of history objects indicating each of the plurality of work histories acquired by the acquisition unit 331 are displayed. For example, when a user first accesses an information processing service using the user terminal 2, the display processing unit 332 displays the design screen on the user terminal 2. The design screen has an input field for inputting a business operator ID, and when the user inputs the business operator ID in the input field, the user terminal 2 transmits the business operator ID input by the user to the information processing device 3.

[0040] Then, when the accepting unit 333 described later accepts input of a business operator ID by the user, the display processing unit 332 displays, on the design screen, a history object indicating the work history associated with the business operator ID and stored in the storage unit 32. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the display processing unit 332 displays, on the design screen, an object O1 as a history object indicating the work history associated with the input business operator ID and stored in the storage unit 32.

[0041] 3, the receiving unit 333 receives an operation for designing a line process on the design screen. Specifically, the receiving unit 333 receives an operation for creating a plurality of process objects representing a plurality of work processes, an operation for setting the order of the plurality of work processes represented by the plurality of process objects, and an operation for associating each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects on the design screen.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 2, when a user performs an operation to create multiple process objects representing multiple work processes and an operation to set the order of each of the multiple work processes represented by each of the multiple process objects, by creating process objects in the order in which they are performed in the line process and by naming the process objects, the display processing unit 332 displays object O2.

[0043] 3, when the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to associate each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects, the calculation unit 334 calculates the throughput of the work process. Specifically, the calculation unit 334 calculates the throughput of the work process by executing the following two steps.

[0044] As a first step, the calculation unit 334 calculates the work period required to work on one item in each of the multiple work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects, based on the work time associated with the same item ID in each of the multiple work histories indicated by each of the multiple history objects associated with each of the multiple process objects, and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the multiple set process objects.

[0045] The calculation unit 334 calculates the work period of each work process when the work time in each work history indicated by each history object associated with each process object includes both the work start time and the work end time. For example, the calculation unit 334 first calculates, for each item ID included in each work history indicated by each history object associated with each process object, the start-end period from the work start time to the work end time associated with the item ID in each work process. Then, for each work process indicated by the process object, the calculation unit 334 calculates a statistical value (e.g., average, mode, median, etc.) of multiple start-end periods corresponding to the work process, thereby calculating the work period corresponding to the work process. The calculation unit 334 may calculate the longest start-end period among the multiple start-end periods as the work period.

[0046] When the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time, the calculation unit 334 may calculate the work period by referring to the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the previous or next process object. For example, assume that the work history indicated by the first history object associated with the first process object includes only the work start time, and the work history indicated by the second history object associated with the second process object that is next to the first process object in the line process includes the work start time.

[0047] In this case, the calculation unit 334 calculates, for each item ID included in the work history indicated by the first history object associated with the first process object, the period from the work start time associated with the item ID in the work history to the work start time associated with the item ID in the work history indicated by the first history object associated with the second process object as the start-end period.The calculation unit 334 then calculates the work period of the work process indicated by the first process object based on the calculated multiple start-end periods.In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate the work period even if either the work start time or the work end time is missing in the work history.

[0048] When the work time in each of the work histories indicated by each of the history objects associated with each of the process objects does not include either the work start time or the work end time, the calculation unit 334 may calculate the work period integrating the multiple process objects. For example, assume that the work history indicated by a first history object associated with a first process object includes only the work start time, and the work history indicated by a second history object associated with a second process object that is next to the first process object in the line process includes only the work end time.

[0049] In this case, for each item ID included in the work history indicated by the first history object associated with the first process object, the calculation unit 334 calculates the period from the work start time associated with the item ID in the work history to the work end time associated with the item ID in the work history indicated by the first history object associated with the second process object as a start-end period that integrates the work process indicated by the first process object and the work process indicated by the second process object. Then, the calculation unit 334 calculates a work period that integrates the work process indicated by the first process object and the work process indicated by the second process object based on the calculated multiple start-end periods. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate the work period even if either the work start time or the work end time is missing in the work history.

[0050] When the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time, the calculation unit 334 may further calculate the work period based on an interpolated time that is interpolated as the work time. The calculation unit 334 calculates the work period based on, for example, an interpolated time input by the user.

[0051] Specifically, first, when either the work start time or the work end time is not included in the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object, the receiving unit 333 further receives an operation to input an interpolated time. Then, the calculation unit 334 calculates the start-end period based on the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object and the interpolated time received by the receiving unit 333.

[0052] For example, if the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time, the display processing unit 332 displays a message on the design screen to confirm whether or not to supplement the missing work time. If the user answers that they will supplement the missing work time, the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to select the type of time included in the work time in the work history (either the work start time or the work end time) and an operation to input an interpolated time.

[0053] Then, the calculation unit 334 calculates the start and end periods based on the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object, the type of time accepted by the acceptance unit 333, and the interpolated time accepted by the acceptance unit 333. In this way, the information processing device 3 can estimate the start and end periods of the work process even if either the work start time or the work end time is missing in the work history.

[0054] The calculation unit 334 may calculate the work period based on an interpolated time based on the work periods of other work processes included in other line processes managed by a user different from the user. For example, the storage unit 32 stores information indicating other work processes included in other line processes (for example, the names or types of the other work processes) and information indicating the work periods of the other work processes in association with each other.

[0055] In this case, first, the calculation unit 334 selects another work process related to a work process corresponding to a work time that does not include either the work start time or the work end time (hereinafter referred to as the "target work process") from among the multiple other work processes whose information is stored in the storage unit 32. For example, the calculation unit 334 selects, from the multiple other work processes whose information is stored in the storage unit 32, another work process whose name or type matches the name or type assigned to the process object corresponding to the target work process.

[0056] The calculation unit 334 then calculates an interpolated time based on the work duration corresponding to the selected other work process. For example, if the interpolated time is a work end time, the calculation unit 334 calculates the interpolated time as the time when the work duration corresponding to the selected other work process has elapsed from the work start time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object. The calculation unit 334 then calculates the start-end period based on the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object and the calculated interpolated time.

[0057] In this way, the information processing device 3 can estimate the start and end periods of a work process even if either the work start time or the work end time is missing from the work history. Note that the calculation unit 334 may calculate the work period corresponding to the other selected work process as the start and end periods.

[0058] The calculation unit 334 may calculate an interpolated time based on the work periods of other work processes included in other line processes using a learning model that receives input of information indicating a work process (e.g., the name or type of the work process), the number of operations to be performed in parallel in the work process, information indicating the layout of the work facility where the work process is performed, the work sequence indicating the order of each of the multiple work processes, one of the work start time and the work end time, and the type of the time, and outputs the other time. The learning model is, for example, a machine learning model trained using training data including information indicating each work process, the number of operations to be performed in parallel in each work process, information indicating the layout of the work facility where the work process is performed, and the work period of each work process. The number of operations to be performed in parallel in a work process is, for example, the number of operation devices 1 operating in the work process. The information indicating the layout is information including at least one of the location where the work of the work process in the work facility is performed and the work area where the work of the work process is performed, and is, for example, an image displaying the layout. Note that the information indicating the layout may be a character string indicating the information instead of an image.

[0059] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic example of information indicating a layout. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the information indicating the layout indicates that areas P (areas P1, P2, P3, P4) for each work process to be performed in facility F, which is a work facility, are provided. The information indicating the layout also indicates that the area P for each work process is provided in the position and with the area shown in Fig. 4.

[0060] For example, first, the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to input the type of time included in the work time in the work history, as well as an operation to input the number of operations to be performed in parallel in the work process, information indicating the layout, and a work order indicating the order of each of the multiple work processes.The calculation unit 334 then inputs the information indicating the work process attached to the process object, the number of operations to be performed in parallel in the work process, information indicating the layout, the work order indicating the order of each of the multiple work processes, one of the times included in the work time in the work history, and the type of that one time into a learning model, thereby calculating the other time.

[0061] In this way, the information processing device 3 can estimate the start and end periods of a work process even if either the work start time or the work end time is missing from the work history. Furthermore, by calculating interpolated times using information indicating the layout and the work order indicating the order of each of the multiple work processes, the information processing device 3 can improve the accuracy of calculating the start and end periods of the work process, which may vary depending on the layout.

[0062] In a second step, the calculation unit 334 calculates the number of item IDs to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period. The predetermined unit period is, for example, one minute, ten minutes, one hour, or one day. The predetermined unit period may be a period determined in advance or may be a period set by the user. For example, the calculation unit 334 calculates the number of item IDs to be read per predetermined unit period for each work process indicated by the process object by dividing the predetermined unit period by the work period of the work process.

[0063] In the above, an example has been described in which the calculation unit 334 calculates the number of items read per predetermined unit period, with one item as the unit, but this is not limiting. For example, the calculation unit 334 may calculate the number of items read per predetermined unit period, with one order including one or more items as the unit. For example, the work history may further be associated with order identification information (hereinafter referred to as "order ID") for identifying an order of one or more items. Specifically, the calculation unit 334 calculates the number of items read per predetermined unit period, with one order as the unit, by performing the following two steps.

[0064] As a first step, the calculation unit 334 calculates the work period as the time required to work on one order in each of the multiple work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects, based on the work time associated with the same order ID in each of the multiple work histories indicated by each of the multiple history objects associated with each of the multiple process objects, and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects set.

[0065] For example, the calculation unit 334 first calculates a start-end period for each item ID included in each work history indicated by each history object associated with each process object. Then, for each order ID included in each work history indicated by each history object associated with each process object, the calculation unit 334 calculates a total period by adding up the start-end periods corresponding to one or more item IDs associated with the order ID in each work history.

[0066] Then, for each work process indicated by the process object, the calculation unit 334 calculates a work period corresponding to the work process by calculating a statistical value of a plurality of total periods corresponding to the work process. The calculation unit 334 may calculate the longest total period among the plurality of total periods as the work period.

[0067] In a second step, the calculation unit 334 calculates the read quantity, which is the quantity of all item IDs associated with the order ID that will be read in a predetermined unit time period, based on the calculated work period. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate the throughput of each work process for each order.

[0068] For example, the calculation unit 334 calculates the number of reads per predetermined unit period each time the reception unit 333 receives an operation to associate one history object with one process object. The calculation unit 334 may calculate the number of reads per predetermined unit period when the reception unit 333 receives an operation to associate a history object with each of multiple created process objects, or may calculate the number of reads per predetermined unit period when the user presses a button (not shown) provided on the design screen.

[0069] The display processing unit 332 displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the reading quantity per predetermined unit period calculated by the calculation unit 334 in association with the process object. In the example shown in Fig. 2, when the user performs an operation of dragging and dropping each object O1 onto each object O2 as an operation of associating each of the multiple process objects with each of the multiple history objects, the display processing unit 332 displays each object O3 corresponding to each object O2.

[0070] After displaying the quantity objects on the design screen, the display processing unit 332 may update the objects in response to a user operation. For example, when the order of the process objects is changed, the display processing unit 332 may move the numerical value objects in response to the change.

[0071] Specifically, first, the accepting unit 333 accepts an operation to change the order of one process object after the quantity objects are displayed on the design screen. Then, the display processing unit 332 displays, on the design screen, a changed process object, which is a process object whose order has been changed, in association with the quantity objects that were associated with the changed process object before the order was changed.

[0072] Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. In the example shown in Fig. 5(a), when the user performs an operation to move the inspection process object before the sorting process object, as shown in operation D, the display processing unit 332 displays the design screen shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0073] On the design screen shown in Fig. 5(b), the order of the inspection process objects and the order of the sorting process objects are swapped compared to the design screen shown in Fig. 5(a). Also, on the design screen shown in Fig. 5(b), the quantity objects associated with the inspection process objects and the quantity objects associated with the sorting process objects are swapped compared to the design screen shown in Fig. 5(a). In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily modify the line processes created on the design screen.

[0074] The display processing unit 332 may display a new numerical value object when a new process object is added after the quantitative object is displayed on the design screen. Specifically, first, the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to add a process object and an operation to associate the added process object (hereinafter referred to as an "added process object") with a history object after the quantitative object is displayed on the design screen.

[0075] The calculation unit 334 calculates the work period based on the order of the work processes indicated by the added process object and the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the added process object.The calculation unit 334 calculates the number of reads per predetermined unit time based on the calculated work period.The display processing unit 332 then displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the newly calculated number of reads per predetermined unit time in association with the added process object.

[0076] Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. Directly below each process object shown in Fig. 6, an add process button A (add process buttons A1, A2, A3, A4) for adding a new process object is provided. In the example shown in Fig. 6(a), when the user presses the add process button A3 provided directly below the inspection process object, inputs the name of the added process object, and performs an operation to associate a history object with the added process object, the display processing unit 332 displays the design screen shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0077] 6(b), an additional process object is displayed between the inspection process object and the sealing process object, and a quantity object corresponding to the additional process object is displayed. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily correct the line process created on the design screen.

[0078] When no history object is associated with an additional process object, the display processing unit 332 may display a quantity object indicating a statistical value of the number of reads per predetermined unit time in the work process indicated by the additional process object. For example, the storage unit 32 stores the statistical value of the number of reads per predetermined unit time corresponding to the work process in association with the name or type of the work process.

[0079] In this case, first, the accepting unit 333 accepts an operation to add a process object after the quantity object is displayed on the design screen. Then, if the accepting unit 333 does not accept an operation to associate the added process object with the history object, the display processing unit 332 associates an object indicating a statistical value corresponding to the added process object with the added process object as a quantity object and displays it.

[0080] For example, first, when the receiving unit 333 does not receive an operation to associate an added process object with a history object, the display processing unit 332 selects a statistical value associated with the name or type of the work process assigned to the added process object from among a plurality of statistical values ​​stored in the storage unit 32. Then, the display processing unit 332 displays an object indicating the selected statistical value as a quantity object. In this way, the information processing device 3 can display a quantity object even when a history object is not associated with a process object.

[0081] The display processing unit 332 may display a quantity object indicating the number of reads per predetermined unit time corresponding to the number of operations to be performed in parallel in the work process. Specifically, after the process object is displayed on the design screen, the receiving unit 333 first receives an operation to input the number of operations to be performed in parallel in at least one of the multiple work processes. The calculation unit 334 calculates the work period by dividing the period required to perform work on one item in the work process to be performed in parallel by the number of operations. Then, the display processing unit 332 displays, on the design screen, process object(s) indicating the number of operations to be performed in parallel, and also displays, in association with the process object(s), a quantity object indicating the number of reads per predetermined unit time calculated by the calculation unit 334.

[0082] 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. To the right of each process object shown in FIG. 7, an add task button B (add task buttons B1, B2, B3, B4) for increasing the number of tasks is displayed. Note that the design screen may be provided with an input field for inputting the number of tasks instead of the add task button B. In the example shown in FIG. 7(a), when the user presses the add task button B2 provided to the right of the sorting process object, the display processing unit 332 displays the design screen shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0083] 7(b), new sorting process objects and quantity objects corresponding to the number of the sorting process objects are displayed to the right of the sorting process object. In this way, the information processing device 3 can simulate the throughput of the work process when the number of tasks is increased.

[0084] The display processing unit 332 may update the order of the process objects when some of the process objects are deleted. Specifically, first, the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to delete one process object after the quantity objects are displayed on the design screen. Then, when the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to delete one process object, the display processing unit 332 updates the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects.

[0085] Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a design screen. Directly below each process object shown in Fig. 8, a delete button C (delete buttons C1, C2, C3, C4) for deleting the process object is provided. In the example shown in Fig. 8(a), when the user presses the delete button C3 provided directly below the inspection process object, the display processing unit 332 displays the design screen shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0086] 8(b), the inspection process object and the quantity object corresponding to the inspection process object are deleted from the designed line process. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily correct the line process created on the design screen.

[0087] The display processing unit 332 may display each quantity object in a manner corresponding to the amount of reading per predetermined unit period for each work process. The manner of the quantity object may be, for example, the size of the characters, the thickness of the characters, the color, etc. Specifically, the display processing unit 332 displays a quantity object indicating a relatively small number of readings per predetermined unit period among the numbers of readings per predetermined unit period for each of the plurality of work processes in a different manner from other quantity objects other than the quantity object.

[0088] For example, the display processing unit 332 displays the text of the quantity object with the smallest read quantity per predetermined unit period in red, and displays the text of the other quantity objects in black. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily visually recognize the throughput of each work process.

[0089] The display processing unit 332 may display a quantity object in response to whether the number of reads per predetermined unit period exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be a common threshold for each work process, or may be a threshold that differs for each work process. Furthermore, the predetermined threshold may be a numerical value that differs for each work process and may be a statistical value for each work process in other line processes.

[0090] The display processing unit 332 may further associate a period object indicating the work period calculated by the calculation unit 334 with the process object and display the period object on the design screen. For example, the display processing unit 332 displays the period object together with the quantity object in an area on the design screen where the quantity object is displayed. Note that the display processing unit 332 may display the period object on the design screen instead of the quantity object.

[0091] When displaying the period objects, the display processing unit 332 may display each period object in a manner corresponding to the length of the work period of each work process. Specifically, when displaying period objects indicating work periods calculated by the calculation unit 334 in association with process objects, the display processing unit 332 displays a period object indicating a relatively long work period among the work periods of each of the multiple work processes in a different manner from other period objects other than the period object.

[0092] For example, the display processing unit 332 displays the text of the period object with the longest work period in red, and displays the text of other period objects in black. In this way, the information processing device 3 can easily visually recognize the length of the work period of each work process.

[0093] The information processing device 3 may display on the design screen which work process an item currently being worked on in a line process is in. Specifically, the receiving unit 333 receives input of an item ID after the process object is displayed. Then, on the design screen, the display processing unit 332 displays, based on the work history acquired by the acquisition unit 331 from each of the multiple work devices 1, the work process in which work is being performed on the item identified by the item ID input by the receiving unit 333.

[0094] For example, the display processing unit 332 first determines whether the work history indicated by the history object associated with a process object includes the item ID input by the receiving unit 333, in the order of the line processes designed on the design screen. If the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include the item ID and the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object immediately preceding the process object includes the item ID, the display processing unit 332 determines that work is being performed on the item indicated by the item ID in the work process indicated by the process object. Then, the display processing unit 332 displays the process object of the identified work process in a different manner from other process objects other than the process object (for example, by coloring the text or border of the process object red). In this way, the information processing device 3 can manage the status of work on a specific item on the design screen.

[0095] [Processing of information processing device 3] Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 3. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 3. In the example shown in Fig. 9, it is assumed that the information processing device 3 has stored in advance in the storage unit 32 the operation history acquired from each operation device 1. In this case, this flowchart starts when the display processing unit 332 causes the user terminal 2 to display a design screen (S1).

[0096] The receiving unit 333 receives an operation to create a process object on the design screen in the order of the work processes in the line process (S2). Every time the receiving unit 333 receives an operation to create a process object on the design screen, the display processing unit 332 displays the process object (S3).

[0097] The receiving unit 333 receives an operation to associate each of the displayed process objects with each of the history objects on the design screen (S4). The calculation unit 334 calculates a work period required for work on one item in each of the work processes indicated by each of the process objects, based on the work time associated with the same item ID in each of the work histories indicated by each of the history objects associated with each of the process objects, and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the set process objects (S5).

[0098] The calculation unit 334 calculates the number of item IDs to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period (S6). Then, the display processing unit 332 displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the number of item IDs to be read in the predetermined unit period calculated by the calculation unit 334 in association with the process object (S7).

[0099] <Modification> Although the example in which the information processing device 3 calculates the throughput of each work process based on each work history has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device 3 may calculate the throughput of each work process based on information indicating the layout of each work process.

[0100] For example, the information processing device 3 calculates the throughput of each work process using a learning model. The learning model is, for example, a machine learning model that is trained to output the throughput of each work process when information indicating the layout of each work process is input, and is a machine learning model that is trained using training data including information indicating the layout of each work process, the number of tasks in the work process, the order of each work process, and the work period required to work on one item in each work process. The number of tasks in a work process is, for example, the number of tasks to be performed in parallel in each work process, or the number of work processes of each type (e.g., picking, inspection, etc.) included in a line process (e.g., the number of times an inspection work process is performed when an inspection work process is performed multiple times in a line process).

[0101] In this case, the information processing device 3 acquires information indicating the layout of each work process, inputs the acquired information indicating the layout of each work process into a learning model, and causes the learning model to output the throughput of each work process, thereby calculating the throughput of each work process. Note that, in addition to the information indicating the layout of each work process, the information processing device 3 may further input at least one of the number of tasks in the work process and the order of each work process into the learning model. In this way, the information processing device 3 can calculate the throughput of each work process based on the layout of each work process.

[0102] [Effects of this embodiment] As described above, the information processing device 3 calculates a work period based on the work times associated with the same item ID in each of the multiple work histories indicated by each of the multiple history objects associated with each of the multiple process objects created on the design screen, and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects set. Then, based on the calculated work period, the information processing device 3 calculates the number of reads per predetermined unit period. Then, on the design screen, the information processing device 3 associates a quantity object indicating the calculated number of reads per predetermined unit period with the process object and displays it. In this way, the information processing device 3 allows the user to recognize the throughput of each work process. This makes it easier for the user to determine which work process should be improved. As a result, the information processing device 3 can provide a mechanism that makes it easier to analyze line processes.

[0103] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation and resilience."

[0104] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Work equipment 2. User terminal 3. Information processing equipment 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 331 Acquisition Department 332 Display processing section 333 Reception Department 334 Calculation Unit S Information Processing System

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires, for each operation device used in each of a plurality of operation processes included in a line process for delivering an item, a work history including device identification information for identifying the operation device, wherein the work history is associated with item identification information for identifying an item read by the operation device and a work time including at least one of a work start time when the operation device started to read the item identification information and a work end time when the operation device finished reading the item identification information; a receiving unit that receives, on a design screen for designing the line process and on which a plurality of history objects indicating each of the plurality of work histories acquired by the acquiring unit are displayed, an operation for creating a plurality of process objects indicating each of the plurality of work processes, an operation for setting an order of each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, and an operation for associating each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects; a calculation unit that calculates a work period required for work on one item in each of the multiple work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects based on the work time associated with the same item identification information in each of the multiple work histories indicated by each of the multiple history objects associated with each of the multiple process objects and the order of each of the set work processes indicated by each of the multiple process objects, and calculates a read quantity of the item identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period; a display processing unit that displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the read quantity per predetermined unit period calculated by the calculation unit in association with the process object; An information processing device having the above.

2. The work history is further associated with order identification information for identifying an order for one or more items; the calculation unit calculates, as the work period, the period required to work on one order in each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, based on the work times associated with the same order identification information in each of the plurality of work histories indicated by each of the plurality of history objects associated with each of the plurality of process objects, and the order of each of the set work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, and calculates, as the read quantity, the quantity of all of the item identification information associated with the order identification information that will be read in the specified unit period, based on the calculated work period; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the accepting unit accepts an operation to change the order of one of the process objects after the quantity objects are displayed on the design screen; the display processing unit displays, on the design screen, a changed process object, which is the process object whose order has been changed, in association with the quantity object that was associated with the changed process object before the order was changed. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the receiving unit receives, after the quantity object is displayed on the design screen, an operation to add the process object and an operation to associate the added process object with the history object; the calculation unit calculates the work period based on the order of the work processes indicated by the additional process object and the work time included in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the additional process object, and calculates the reading quantity per predetermined unit time based on the calculated work period; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the information processing device further includes a storage unit configured to store a statistical value of the number of reads per predetermined unit period corresponding to a work process; the accepting unit accepts an operation to add the process object after displaying the quantity object on the design screen, when the reception unit does not receive an operation to associate the added process object with the history object, the display processing unit displays an object indicating the statistical value corresponding to the added process object as the quantity object. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the receiving unit receives an operation to input the number of operations to be performed in parallel in at least one of the plurality of operation processes after the operation object is displayed on the design screen, the calculation unit calculates the work period by dividing a period required for work on one item in the work process in which the number of operations is performed in parallel by the number of operations; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. the receiving unit receives an operation to delete one of the process objects after the quantity objects are displayed on the design screen, the display processing unit updates the order of the work processes indicated by the plurality of process objects, when the accepting unit accepts an operation to delete one of the process objects. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. the display processing unit displays the quantity object indicating a relatively small read quantity per predetermined unit period among the read quantities per predetermined unit period for each of the plurality of work processes in a different manner from other quantity objects other than the quantity object indicating the relatively small read quantity per predetermined unit period. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. when the display processing unit displays the period objects indicating the work periods calculated by the calculation unit in association with the process objects, the display processing unit displays the period object indicating a relatively long work period among the work periods of each of the plurality of work processes in a different manner from other period objects other than the period object. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. the receiving unit receives input of the item identification information after the process object is displayed; the display processing unit displays, on the design screen, the work process in which work is being performed on the item identified by the item identification information received by the receiving unit, based on the work history obtained from each of the plurality of work devices by the obtaining unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. when the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time, the calculation unit further calculates the work period based on an interpolated time that is interpolated as the time. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. the receiving unit further receives an operation to input the interpolated time when the work time in the work history indicated by the history object associated with the process object does not include either the work start time or the work end time. The information processing device according to claim 11.

13. the information processing device further includes a storage unit that stores information indicating another work process included in another line process managed by a manager different from the manager who manages the line process, and information indicating a work period of the other work process, in association with each other; the calculation unit selects, from the plurality of other work processes, the other work process related to the work process corresponding to the work time not including the time, and calculates the interpolated time based on the work period corresponding to the selected other work process. The information processing device according to claim 11.

14. The computer executes acquiring a work history including device identification information for identifying a work device used in each of a plurality of work processes included in a line process for delivering an item, the work history being associated with item identification information for identifying the work device read by the work device and a work time including at least one of a work start time when the work device started the work of reading the item identification information and a work end time when the work device finished the work of reading the item identification information; receiving, on a design screen for designing the line process and displaying a plurality of history objects indicating each of the acquired plurality of work histories, an operation for creating a plurality of process objects indicating each of the plurality of work processes, an operation for setting an order of each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, and an operation for associating each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects; calculating a work period required for work on one item in each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects based on the work time associated with the same item identification information in each of the plurality of work histories indicated by each of the plurality of history objects associated with each of the plurality of process objects and the order of each of the work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects; calculating a read quantity of the item identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period; a step of displaying, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the calculated read quantity per the predetermined unit period in association with the process object; An information processing method comprising:

15. Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires, for each operation device used in each of a plurality of operation processes included in a line process for delivering an item, a work history including device identification information for identifying the operation device, wherein the work history is associated with item identification information for identifying an item read by the operation device and a work time including at least one of a work start time when the operation device started to read the item identification information and a work end time when the operation device finished reading the item identification information; a receiving unit that receives, on a design screen for designing the line process, a plurality of history objects indicating each of the plurality of work processes acquired by the acquiring unit, an operation for creating a plurality of process objects indicating each of the plurality of work processes, an operation for setting an order of each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, and an operation for associating each of the plurality of process objects with each of the plurality of history objects; a calculation unit that calculates a work period required for work on one item in each of the plurality of work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects based on the work time associated with the same item identification information in each of the plurality of work histories indicated by each of the plurality of history objects associated with each of the plurality of process objects and the order of each of the set work processes indicated by each of the plurality of process objects, and calculates a read quantity of the item identification information to be read in a predetermined unit period based on the calculated work period; a display processing unit that displays, on the design screen, a quantity object indicating the read quantity per predetermined unit period calculated by the calculation unit in association with the process object; A program to function as a

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